Summary

Though not as good as Metroid Fusion this is still much more than just another remake.

The Good

This game is basically another remake of an old NES classic: Metroid. Though this is a remake it has got so many new things that you won't really mind even if you played the original. The story is therefore not as great as in recent Metroid titles but it does the job: Space pirates want to use the life sucking abilities of a newly discovered life-form called Metroids to create a very powerful weapon to control the galaxy. Interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran must now destroy the Metroids and the Pirate leading Mother Brain. The gameplay, as in all Metroid games is smooth and easy. It's just plain brilliant. Lots of power-ups to Samus's power suit force you to look everywhere for new ones to proceed to new area's or reach new rooms in area's visited before. This makes Metroid such a good series. The graphics are also brilliant. Though the backgrounds of the caves in which this game is set do not allow as much detail as 2002's Metroid Fusion's space station, but they are beautiful in a different way and make use of a great comic-book style. All other sprites including Samus and her enemies are of the same style and quality as Fusion. The music is simply one off the best on the GBA if not the best. It's very atmospheric and beautiful and really gives you the feel that fits with being alone on a planet full of suspense and monsters.

The Bad

The game is much too short and easy. The difference in difficulty between easy and normal is difficult to notice. However if you complete the normal mode you will unlock a hard mode which is significantly harder. Also unlockable is the original NES game and the usual gallery of pictures. Each picture can be unlocked if you play through the game with certain criteria such as reaching the end with a certain amount of items. You can also link with Fusion to obtain the gallery of that game. These unlockables make up pretty good for the short length of the game, which is nice after all, but it's still not as good as Fusion. The longevity is the main reason for that. You wish there was just more to the game because it's such a great game.

The Bottom Line

Brilliant but because it's a remake and not a sequel you will be better of with Fusion which is longer and harder and gives you more for the same price. But this is definitely not a bad game, don't get me wrong but try Fusion first. If you like this game you'll simply love Fusion.